If you love the idea of kayaking or canoeing but don't have your own, here are some options

Rich Macha, owner of Adirondack Paddle'n'Pole in Colonie, rents touring, recreational and tandem kayaks as well as canoes. He conducts tours as well.

Share on Facebook

Save

62 Days of Summer

Read all the stories in the Summer Days series here.

Sometimes, slower is better. And on lazy summer days, slower can be magical.

One way to slow down and take in your surroundings this summer is to grab a canoe or kayak and take to the water. It’s cheaper, quieter and less disruptive to the environment than renting a motorized boat. You can lie back and watch birds or fish or breathe in the scent of tall pines.

“People come back happy,” said Sally Halsey of customers who rent canoes and kayaks from The Boat House in Niskayuna. “They’re refreshed. They exerted a little bit of physical energy. It’s nice being out on the water, exerting energy but not exhausting yourself, with time to reflect away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of your life.”

Here’s a list of places in the Capital Region where you can enjoy a slow outing on the water:

• The Boat House, at 2855 Aqueduct Road in Niskayuna, offers single and double canoes and kayaks. Prices range from $15 for one person for two hours to $45 for a two-person boat for a full day, on the Mohawk or elsewhere.

• The Kayak Shak, at 251 Staffords Bridge Road in Saratoga Springs, rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and canoes for singles to large groups. Prices range from $20 for a half-day to $45 for a full day.

• Moreau Lake State Park, at 605 Old Saratoga Road, Gansevoort, where prices start at $20 for two hours and views of the Adirondacks are a perk.

• Northampton Beach, at 328 Houseman St. in Mayfield, a state-run campground on the northwest corner of the Great Sacandaga Lake, offers rowboat, canoe and kayak rentals. Prices are $20 a day for a single canoe or kayak and $25 a day for tandem boats.

• Canada Lake Store & Marine, at 103 Old State Road in Caroga Lake, is a trip back in time. The quaint old general store includes a deli and coffee and ice cream shop. You can rent stand-up paddleboards, canoes and paddle boats for two hours to a full week, and prices range from $15 to $350.

• Caroga Lake Campground, at 3043 Route 29A, Caroga Lake, is a state-run campground that rents rowboats, canoes and kayaks for exploring East Caroga Lake. You’ll see the former Sherman’s Amusement Park, with its Ferris wheel and carousel from the turn of the century.

• Nickerson Park Campground, at 378 Stryker Road, Gilboa, offers one- and two-person kayaks and canoes for use on the Schoharie Reservoir, where you can see bald eagles and a waterfall. Prices start at $35 for two hours. You’ll need a Reservoir Access Permit, which you can get online or on site.

A few places in the region offer kayaks and canoes for rent, but no on-site body of water:

• Adirondack Paddle’n’Pole, at 2123 Central Ave. in Colonie.

• Eastern Mountain Sports stores in Stuyvesant Plaza and Wilton Mall.

Have a favorite summer activity? Let us know about it. Share your ideas for Summer Days at www.dailygazette.com/summerdays or [email protected]